Stinchcombe Parish Council Meeting

11th March 2026

My informal notes from last Wednesdays Parish Council meeting that I attended along with Cllr. Braun. Cllr Cohen sent apologies.

Normal formalities then a quick run through of action points and reports . The successful litter pick noted, last Sunday, one of the best turnouts ever. It was good fun! Composting bays built at St Cyr’s Nature Sanctuary. Material being prepared for Taits Hill Planning Inquiry. Kath's standing down from running the Speedwatch group in May. A new Community Camera Co-ordinator needed too. Volunteers required!

No questions on the SDC Councillors' Report but there has been a bit of movement on the Local Plan. The Inspectors will conduct a limited consultation on the latest highways assessments and will issue further questions. Only National Highways, GCC, South Gloucestershire Council and SDC will be invited to respond. Written exchanges.

SDC are required to begin work on a new Local Plan. A report will be presented to the April Council meeting.

Also, regarding Westridge Woods over at Wotton; a meeting has been arranged for 24 March with the Forestry Commission. There are a couple of formal complaints from residents that are raising attention.

Residents are again encouraged to share their views about the three proposals to  reorganise the district councils and county council in Gloucestershire (LGR) before a Government consultation closes on 26 March. For info - A majority of Stroud District Councillors (including the three Wotton ward councillors) voted to support a single unitary council for Gloucestershire. This is due to the disadvantages that would arise, for residents in Stroud district, if the county is split into two unitary councils for the East and West, and due to the extra cost, complexity and duplication that dividing county council services would cause. Link on the Stinchcombe Parish Council Web Site. https://stinchcombeparishcouncil.gov.uk/

I mentioned about GCC's introduction of the community-backed 20mph speed limits (an e-mail arrived in my inbox earlier) but didn't have any background so couldn't answer questions! Detail here: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/news-march-2026/county-to-begin-work-on-roll-out-of-20mph-speed-limits

A planning application was discussed, conversion of an agricultural building at Home Farm. Various issues and few of the required assessments submitted. Amends to Hole 1 at the Golf Club and the felling of a sycamore at Malt House.

Little to say on the Swedish Houses. Pulling together consultation feedback is taking longer than expected but should be ready in a couple of weeks. Aiming to submit the planning application end March/early April. Request/prefer parish meet last week of March.

Environment and Biodiversity Group update. Litter pick; many bags of litter in Echo Lane. Cllr. wants signage put up but consensus is that people who dump this rubbish will pay little attention to signage. 10th May nurturing day @ St. Cyr's.

The footpath item was discussed earlier in the meeting. There are some issues at Piers Court which is a private residence with private gardens. There has been some confusion about footpath routes and dogs not being under close control. Conversations with Cllrs,owner and GCC on-going.

Myself and Cllr Braun left for a catch up meeting in the car park.

Edit: 14-3-2026 Kath's stepping back from Speedwatch not Bio-diversity.